Lorwyn Eclipsed is almost here, but the whole set is now spoiled. I thought it be fun to look at some of the cards I’m most excited to brew around. It is worth noting I rarely play Standard, so most of my picks are for other formats. I like Pauper, Tiny Leader, and Pauper EDH more right now. My picks will reflect my current interest (not so much power level or general buzz.). Let’s get on to the list. Leave a comment below on the cards you are most excited about.

#5 The Evoke Elementals

I’m lumping all these guys into one spot. I think they are versatile and fun. I don’t know if any will see standard or modern play or anything like that, but they certainly could. I am more interested in them from a cube perspective. Cube is one of those formats where you can tailor make the power level and synergies. It’s very easy to create environments where these guys are all stars. Not to mention, I like when Wizards does these big, fun cycles like the Gearhulks, Gods, and Titans of previous sets.

There’s five Incarnations and I really like four of them. Deceit reminds me of Dinrova’s Horror and apparently has already found a combo with Superior Spider-Man. Wistful seems like a more flexible Mulldrifter, which is never a bad thing. Emptiness seems solid. I never scoff at flexible reanitomater spells and this is one that can double as a removal spell. Vibrance has to be my favorite though. It gives me strong Kroxa meets Uro vibes. Both of those cards are in the running for two of my favorite creatures ever. This can bolt anything and/or ensure you find your next land and gain some life. I really like this one. Catharsis is my least favorite as I am just not interested in anything it is doing.

#4 Glister Bairn

Honestly, this is a set of honorable mentions. Where there’s interesting stuff for pauper and interesting cards that can be commanders. However, most of the set doesn’t exactly sing to me. I’m putting this on the list not because I’m rushing out to get it, but because I think it is interesting. There’s plenty of interesting ways to make off color tokens in Blue and Green to generate tokens that are white or red or black. Amssing Zombies makes black creature tokens. Resculpt makes blue and red elemental tokens. Glimmerburst can draw you two cards and make a white enchantment creature token. Like I said, I’m not rushing out to build it. I just love these creatures that provide deck building limitations and puzzle. These are fun thought exercises.

#3 Iron-Shield Elf

There’s plenty of elves I could have picked. Formidable Speaker, Champions of the Perfect, Virdent Emissary, are all great elves that could probably slot right into Lathril when they come out. I’m putting Iron-Shield Elf on here because A. He’s probably going to fly under the radar so I figured I’d give him his 15 seconds of fame here. B. He slots into one of my decks that isn’t just elves. I built Hashaton in tiny leader. Admittedly, the existing discard outlets we have are pretty good. Therefor, I am not sure if he will make the cut, but I think anytime we get instant speed “free” discard outlets we should at least take notes. All in all, elves got a lot of support this set and that is always cool.

#2 Maralen, Fae Ascendant

Speaking of Elves getting support, here’s something crazy. She combines two of my favorite creature types: Elves and Faeries. She rewards you building elf ball so you have a high creature count as well as rewards you for playing flash faeries. I like both of these strategies. My thing is I’m not 100% sure how I want to build her. I’ve had Lathril Elves for a while and always wanted to splash blue for Sultai elves. However, I have been waiting for a good UB Faery commander that speaks to me (obviously, there’s a bunch of good ones. I just haven’t really pulled the trigger on them yet.). Is it finally time to pull the trigger and just smash them together? I’m not sure. I also already own Mothman as my Sultai commander. So I am conflicted, but this is atleast very cool and on my radar.

#1 Abigale

Abigale checks a lot of boxes for me. I don’t own a lot, if any ,Orzhov commander decks at any level (Pauper EDH, Tiny Leader, or regular commander.). Despite loving WB as a color combination, I’ve yet to see a strategy that speaks to me. But Abigale in Tiny Leader is currently speaking to me. Her ability to blank the bad text of big creatures like Rotting Regisaur and Death’s Shadow is so tempting. Not to mention, players have already found a whole host of other creatures that are big and dumb with drawbacks that Abigale can just remove. Then you play blink spells like Ephemerate so you can keep triggering her etb. I think the design idea was to use her ability to blank your opponent’s creatures like Badgermole Cub, because I’m not sure she got any other support in Lorwyn which makes me think Wizard did not envision her being an archetype, but more so a hate piece. Maybe I am wrong or missed something, but that’s how I see it. Anyway, I think she is the card I am most looking forward to building and that is in Tiny Leader.

So there you have it. The Elementals and Elves are eating good. Merfolks got some cool cards but nothing that made we want to build them. There’s plenty of other cards that look cool or I’m keeping an eye out to see what they do, but these are the cards that jumped out to me for brewing purposes. Let me know what you are building when Lorwyn Esclipsed officially releases.

Thank you guys for reading. Have a great day!